It's What's [ INSIDE ] That Counts * Elon Musk

Elon Musk has perhaps achieved the ultimate success in the minds of many entrepreneurs, business people and successful admirers - building businesses that impact humanity on a mass scale. Whether it's TESLA's propulsion into EV motoring, SpaceX's promise to deliver not only space travel but also multi-planetary missions, Neuralink offering to superpower our brains or Starlink spreading internet access across the most remote and inaccessible locations in the world.

4 Stories you may not know about Elon...

Elon Musk's Academic Odyssey: A Brief Two-Day Stint at Stanford

In a whirlwind twist of fate, Elon Musk embarked on a mere two-day journey at the prestigious Stanford University. Back in 1995, Musk, with an insatiable appetite for groundbreaking technological innovation, enrolled for graduate studies in applied physics. Little did the academic world know, this tech luminary was already envisioning the internet's transformative potential.

When Musk sought academic deferment, he boldly declared his intent to return in six months should his entrepreneurial dreams falter. The response from the department chairman, however, proved prophetic. He foresaw the young computer prodigy's destiny, remarking that he didn't anticipate Musk's return – a prediction that would prove 100 percent accurate.

The rest, as they say, is history. Musk went on to co-found Zip2, a trailblazing enterprise that ushered brick-and-mortar businesses into the digital age. In a mere four years, Compaq recognized the seismic impact of Zip2 and acquired the company, obviating any need for Musk to resume his formal education.

Google's Acquisition of Tesla

Picture a pivotal juncture in Tesla's tumultuous history. Elon Musk, the indomitable force behind the electric car revolution, made a daring move that sent shockwaves through the business world. In a gripping episode recounted in Ashlee Vance's tome, "Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future," Musk extended his hand to none other than Google's visionary CEO, Larry Page.

The audacious proposition? Selling the beleaguered Tesla to Google. The negotiations, shrouded in intrigue, culminated in a tentative agreement in 2013, setting the sale price at an eye-watering $6 billion. Yet, in a twist of fate, this monumental deal never saw the light of day, leaving Tesla to chart its own, electrifying course under Musk's unwavering leadership.

Call Me Bond.... Elon-Bond, 007, Licensed to Thrill

Elon Musk's penchant for the extraordinary extends beyond the realms of technology. His automotive adventures took an intriguing detour when he shelled out nearly a million dollars for a 1976 Lotus Esprit. Why the exorbitant price tag? This vintage vehicle had undergone a remarkable transformation, morphing into the iconic underwater car featured in the James Bond classic, "The Spy Who Loved Me."

This extravagant acquisition wasn't just about acquiring an artifact of cinematic history; it served as a wellspring of inspiration for Musk. In a remarkable twist, this vehicular relic from the silver screen influenced the design ethos behind Musk's groundbreaking creation – the Tesla Cybertruck.

Elon "Iron Man" Musk

In the annals of cinematic history, Elon Musk holds a unique distinction. When Robert Downey Jr. was preparing to embody the charismatic Tony Stark in the "Iron Man" franchise, he sought inspiration from none other than Musk himself.

Their collaboration resulted in a fascinating synergy, with Musk imparting subtle mannerisms and eccentricities that electrified Downey's portrayal of Stark, making the movies even more riveting. Elon Musk, a living embodiment of innovation and ingenuity, found himself providing inspiration for one of pop culture's most iconic characters, elevating his status as a true luminary of our time.